Defense Strategies For Engaging In Organized Criminal Activity In Victoria
Facing an Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (EOCA) charge can be a shocking experience. Authorities may have arrested you alongside friends or acquaintances for a specific offense, only to find that the state has elevated the charges against you significantly.
At Dornburg Law, our criminal defense attorneys in Victoria recognize the severity of these allegations. We have defended Texans since 1999. We also use our combined more than 50 years of experience to dismantle these complex cases and protect your rights.
Understanding Engaging In Organized Criminal Activity Charges
Texas law utilizes the EOCA statute to aggressively penalize group misconduct. Essentially, the state takes a standard underlying crime and elevates the severity of the charge if they believe you committed it as part of a criminal combination or a group. This group is defined legally as three or more persons who collaborate in carrying out criminal activities.
The primary consequence of this enhancement is that the classification of the offense is raised one category higher than the underlying crime. For example, a third-degree felony can instantly become a second-degree felony. This elevation results in significantly harsher potential prison sentences and fines.
However, the state has a high burden of proof. To secure a conviction, prosecutors must prove more than just your presence at the scene or your association with the other defendants.
They must demonstrate that you had the specific intent to establish, maintain or participate in the group’s activities. Our defense strategy often centers on this requirement. We will work hard to prove that you lacked this intent.
Being in the wrong place with the wrong people does not make you a member of a criminal organization. We will fight to ensure the jury understands that distinction.
How A Victoria Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help
You need a team that can meticulously analyze the prosecution’s case to find gaps in their narrative. We look for evidence that proves you acted independently rather than as a conspirator in a combination.
At Dornburg Law, we will act quickly to preserve evidence and challenge the prosecution’s assertions of a “common scheme.” We leverage our deep roots in South Texas and our decades of experience to negotiate aggressively.
We can help have the organized enhancement dropped, returning the charge to its original level. We will also try to persuade the judge to dismiss the charge entirely if the evidence of collaboration is weak.
Protect Your Future By Calling Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Today
The penalties for organized criminal activity in Victoria are severe, but an arrest is not a conviction. You deserve a defense team that is responsive, experienced and ready to fight for you. Contact 361-570-4444 or fill out this form on our website today to discuss your legal options.